CRS worried about
drop in PRC-US military exchanges
By William Lowther / Staff reporter in Washington
Tensions over Taiwan have continued to flare since the mid-1990s, a report by
the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) said, adding that the situation has
left ˇ§many observers fearing the possibility of war looming between the United
States and China ˇX two nuclear powers.ˇ¨
In a 44-page review of US-China military contacts, Asian security affairs
specialist Shirley Kan said that Beijingˇ¦s rising assertiveness had been
accompanied by ˇ§reduced appreciationˇ¨ for military-to-military exchanges.
The review, released on Wednesday, follows a separate CRS report on policy
issues in US-Taiwan relations published a few days ago.
While considering contacts with the Peopleˇ¦s Liberation Army (PLA), the US,
after the 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, has increased arms sales to and ties
with Taiwanˇ¦s military, the new report said.
It said that policy considerations for members of Congress include offering arms
sales and cooperation to help Taiwanˇ¦s self defense; securing leverage over
Beijing or Taipei; deterring aggression or coercion and supporting cross-strait
dialogue and confidence-building measures.
ˇ§There are complications in consideration of the question of Taiwan in the US-PRC
[Peopleˇ¦s Republic of China] military relationship,ˇ¨ it said.
ˇ§Not discussing Taiwan leaves the primary dispute subject to misperception or
miscalculation,ˇ¨ the review said.
ˇ§However, linking the Taiwan question can raise tensions and frustrations over a
disagreement that military exchanges cannot solve,ˇ¨ it said.
The review said that the PLA had suspended military exchanges in retaliation for
steps in US policy toward Taiwan, especially continued arms sales. However,
cutting off exchanges played a counterproductive role by raising US-PRC tension.
The review added that if the PLA believed US arms sales to Taiwan actually
countered Chinaˇ¦s interests, the PLA or the broader PRC authorities have not
retaliated against Taiwan for requesting or buying defense items.
ˇ§PRC threats or steps have been directed against the United States, but not
Taiwan,ˇ¨ the review said.
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